Croatia

/krəʊˈeɪʃə/

noun

1.

a republic in SE Europe: settled by Croats in the 7th century; belonged successively to Hungary, Turkey, and Austria; formed part of Yugoslavia (1918–91); became independent in 1991 but was invaded by Serbia and fighting continued until 1995; involved in the civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1991–95); joined the European Union in 2013. Language: Croatian. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: kuna. Capital: Zagreb. Pop: 4 475 611 (2013 est). Area: 55 322 sq km (21 359 sq miles) Croatian name Hrvatska

Note: When Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, fighting broke out between Croats and Croatia's large Serbian minority, who were aided by the Serb-dominated Yugoslavian government. In 1995, Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian leaders met in the United States and settled on a peace accord. Hostility between Croats and Serbs has a long history; during World War II they fought on opposite sides of a civil war in Yugoslavia.